Rheinmetall to Equip Gripen Fighter Aircraft for Brazil and Sweden With Automatic Cannon

On behalf of Swedish defence contractor Saab AB, Rheinmetall will be equipping a total of 88 Gripen NG (‘Next Generation’) fighter aircraft with the BK27 automatic cannon with a newly developed linkless ammunition feeding system. The order is worth a mid eight-figure euro amount.

Brazil and Sweden – one new customer and one longstanding one – will soon have at their disposal Gripen NGs armed with the globally acclaimed Mauser 27mm revolver cannon from Rheinmetall Oberndorf. Delivery will take place during the 2017-2025 timeframe, and includes service support and spare parts. Rheinmetall also offers the accompanying ammunition for the weapon system.

Just awarded, the contract highlights once again the longstanding and successful cooperation between Rheinmetall and Saab. With the Gripen NG order, the BK27 – developed and produced at the legendary Mauser plant in Oberndorf – will be used in another state-of-the-art warplane. The linked ammunition-feeding version of the gas-operated revolver cannon serves as the standard weapon in the multi-role Tornado, while the Eurofighter features the linkless version. Some 3,500 systems have been manufactured to date.